May 10, 2016
With Trump as GOP Nominee, Dems Eye North Carolina Comeback
Julie Pace READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Four years ago, North Carolina was the one that got away for Democrats. It was the only battleground state President Barack Obama didn't win in his resounding re-election.
But now Donald Trump is at the top of the Republican ticket and state GOP officials are embroiled in a contentious fight over transgender rights.
Democrats see that as a ripe opportunity for likely nominee Hillary Clinton to grab North Carolina back in November, and boost party's prospects in races for governor and Senate.
Obama stunned Republicans by carrying North Carolina in 2008, the first time a Democratic presidential candidate had done so in decades.
But Republicans consolidated power throughout the state during Obama's first term and North Carolinians frustrated with a sluggish state economy rebuked the president in 2012.
